Trump is considering next steps against Iran.

Options include limited military strikes.

A full-scale bombing campaign is on the table but unlikely, since it could destabilize the region and lead to a prolonged conflict.

The U.S. may also try a temporary Hormuz blockade while pushing allies to take on more responsibility.

Source: WSJ

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war.

But when just inches away from "Islamabad MoU", we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.

Zero lessons earned.

Trump met with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis earlier today.

Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, said the country hasn’t been asked to support a US Hormuz blockade.

Trump:

The United States to Blockade Ships Entering or Exiting Iranian Ports on April 13 at 10:00 A.M. ET.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Trump lashes out at Pope Leo:

Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about “fear” of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart.

I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t! I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country.

And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History.

Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.

Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.

It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!

Trump posts image portraying himself as Jesus Christ.

Reporter: How is the ceasefire holding?

Trump: It is holding well.

Trump:

Iran is in very bad shape. I think they’re very desperate.

Reporter: Why did you attack Pope Leo?

Trump: I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess.

We don’t like a pope who says it’s ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don’t want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a big fan of Pope Leo.

Trump on Iran:

I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken:

President Trump has taken an off-ramp. Maybe he was tired of all that winning.

He's really put himself into a corner over the last few weeks that's going to be very hard to get out of.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on enrichment:

It’s not clear whether the folks we had at the table fully grasp what they were getting from the Iranians.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Trump's invasion threats over Cuba:

Whoever tries to take over Cuba will collect her blood-soaked soil if he does not perish in the struggle.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel:

If the time comes, we’ll defend ourselves.

And if we need to die, we’ll die.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel:

I have no fear. I am willing to give my life for the Revolution.

Removing one person will not solve anything. There are hundreds ready to assume responsibility.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ Spokesperson:

Security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one.

Enemy-affiliated vessels do not and will not have the right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Other vessels will be allowed to transit the strait in compliance with the regulations of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

If the security of ports of the Islamic Republic of Iran is threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman will remain safe.

Iran's First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Nikzad:

They had not come to take [rescue] a pilot.

They had come to take something else; to take it and put it on display.

Washington Post Columnist David Ignatius:

The blockade is a pressure tactic, to be sure, but not primarily a military one.

Trump has no appetite for further armed conflict. He knows that the upsides are limited and the ‘tail risk’ is large.

A ground attack… might lead the U.S. into a quagmire.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf had impressed the American team as a “refined and professional bargainer, and potential leader of a new Iran.”

Source: David Ignatius, WaPo

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in China:

We need China to open up so that Europe does not have to close itself.

Our trade deficit with China grew 18% last year. That is unsustainable.